Officials said the launch of a UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket for the SL-3 Education launch Saturday is another step in developing the world's first commercial spaceport in New Mexico.

Spaceport America and the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium created history with this first annual Education Launch that provided New Mexico students the opportunity to design and launch scientific experiments into space.

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Officials said launch conditions and the countdown went flawlessly as planned at 8 a.m. although the rocket did not reach the predicted altitude, falling short of the 62-mile boundary of space. The rocket and payload have been located and are in the process of being recovered.

"Today's launch was great experience for the students of New Mexico," said New Mexico Spaceport Authority Executive Director Steve Landeene. "Although we did not achieve the maximum altitude we wanted, the launch delivered on all the learning objectives that we wanted to provide the students. They received hands-on experience in designed and preparing their scientific experiments, and received experience unmatched in the classroom.

Pat Hynes, Director of the Space Grant Consortium, commented Todays launch culminates a semester long curriculum which delivered applied learning, workforce development and education. To my knowledge, this curriculum embedded program is a first of its kind and we plan to continue to develop this program to benefit our students.

Landeene commented on the crowd that came out to watch the rocket launch. The students and their families, the media, the volunteers, and all the other private citizens that came today to be a part of this event theyve experienced a lot of emotion, a bit of anxiety, and an overwhelming sense of adventure. Landeene also said, It was an honor to have so many distinguished members of the community and the State Legislature present to celebrate with the students and their accomplishments.